Well-seasoned into his NFL journey, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger may be on the brink of doing something special.
For a human in the United States, it’s 78.9 years. A 0.2 increase since 2010, as researched by ourworldindata.org, the average life span gradually improved by advancements of medicine and technology. In contrast to the NFL, to play more than three years makes you veteran, four if you are a QB. However, as Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will be entering his 17th season, and still regarded as one of the best at the most critical position, it is a testimony.
The Steelers success in 2020 is primarily banking on Big Ben’s health and that’s where the etching begins. Only two quarterbacks in league history were starters for a full season in their 17th year, Drew Brees and Brett Favre. Seven were at the helm for at least ten, and 27 have appeared in at least a single game. Recent news has detailed Ben describing his current condition and that he feels like he is without pain for the first time in years. Fulfilling a full sixteen games back in 2018, Roethlisberger dominated opposing defenses, finishing as the NFL’s passing leader with 5,129 yards, throwing 34 touchdowns on a 67 completion percentage.
Now without his former teammate and NFL phenom, Antonio Brown, the once feared duo has been substituted with Diontae Johnson and rookie Chase Claypool, giving him a pair of savvy options along with Juju Smith-Schuster and James Washington. Runningback-by-committee will also hold its influence in Pittsburgh’s backfield that could run four deep into the season, pushing this offense versatility even more upwards for Roethlisberger. Taking his word on his health and predicting his supporting cast may be a bit more talented than what the public will give them credit for, Ben could be on the brink for unspoken history.